Earl " The Pearl " Anthony named PBA Greatest

[hamster]

The late Earl Anthony, who left an indelible legacy on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour as its first career millionaire, was announced as the greatest player in the PBA’s first 50 years Sunday, capping the tour’s weeklong 50th anniversary celebration at Red Rock Resort, Casino and Spa.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., the man who finally eclipsed Anthony’s total of 43 career PBA titles, finished second in voting conducted by a national panel of bowling experts.

PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ASSOCIATION
50 GREATEST PLAYERS IN PBA HISTORY
1. Earl Anthony
2. Walter Ray Williams Jr.
3. Dick Weber
4. Pete Weber
5. Mark Roth
6. Mike Aulby
7. Norm Duke
8. Don Johnson
9. Marshall Holman
10. Parker Bohn III
11. Don Carter
12. Billy Hardwick
13. Brian Voss
14. Dick Ritger
15. Nelson Burton Jr.
16. John Petraglia
17. Carmen Salvino
18. Wayne Webb
19. Dave Davis
20. Dave Soutar
21. Amleto Monacelli
22. Mike Durbin
23. Dave Husted
24. Jason Couch
25. Steve Cook
26. Chris Barnes
27. Jim Stefanich
28. Harry Smith
29. Del Ballard Jr.
30. Tommy Jones
31. Wayne Zahn
32. Jim Godman
33. George Pappas
34. David Ozio
35. Randy Pedersen
36. Dave Ferraro
37. Bill Allen
38. Larry Laub
39. Mike McGrath
40. Tom Baker
41. Joe Berardi
42. Danny Wiseman
43. Doug Kent
44. Patrick Allen
45. John Guenther
46. Gary Dickinson
47. Barry Asher
48. Tommy Hudson
49. Mika Koivuniemi
50. Bob Strampe


Hammo

 

[GeorgeF]

So he should, he was always No.1 in my eyes. The greatest ever title is now official!

 

[~Mrs STORM~]

Watching the PBA reveal the 50 Greatest of All Time was awesome, from start to finish.
Earl Anthony certainly deserved #1, without a doubt.

 

[C.Carney]

He is in not doubt the very best.

 

[wchester]

During my 19 years as a member of the PBA I was fortunate enough to have bowled with and against 44 of those 50 great PBA Stars.

Earl Anthony stood out as the best bowler I have ever seen. He rarely had a bad game and once he got dialed in, he just didn't make very many mistakes. There wasn't a lane condition that he couldn't hit, winning a number of times when no other lefthander even cashed. He was all this and a nice guy too, which is a combination that can't be beat.

 

[Jase]

What...No Chester...

 

[DaleS]

I have to say, my idols growing up were Marshall Holman & Earl Anthony. It was once said Earl had on average 5 lines, 3 ball speeds and 3 releases that he regularly practiced. Thats 45 different ways to attack the pocket. No wonder he was such a prolific winner and voted the greatest player of the past 50 years.

 

[jason_doust]

Peter Somoff of Storm told me about growing up in Seattle where the guys would practice hitting dimes down the lane for money. If Earl played, he had to nominate which side of the dime he would hit. Now that's accuracy.

Earl could also alter the bend in his elbow to change the length of the pendulum in his swing. That's strength.

He was the first man past $1M and utterly respected. Well spoken and presented, Earl was a great ambassador for the sport. And he won all those titles in a shorter period of time than Walter Ray Williams Jr.

That said, bowling balls aren't getting any weaker so Walter Ray has time left in him yet. (Those poor seniors..!)

 

[steve jones]

Great story Jason and well placed words - nice work

S

 

[androooo]

I have a feeling that when WRW turns 50, he will smash every record that Tom Baker set in the Seniors.

 

[Deano]

Earl Anthony definiltey deserves top spot. There is a few on the list that i thought could be a little higher but at the same time its to hard to work out who should be in front of who. All i can say is what a list.

Deano